FeatureA worldie, weirdness and a merry Monday - five LFC writers' tales from Goodison Park

The Toffees’ impending move to a new home stadium means Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off represents the final chapter of a long-running story at the venue.

There have been plenty of highs and a fair share of lows for the Reds at Goodison Park since hosting its maiden league derby back in October 1894.

Incalculable crunching tackles, disputes, brilliant finishes, shocks, stress, red cards, nails bitten and emotions along the way, too.

Ahead of the swansong, five Liverpoolfc.com writers have each shared a tale from their own experience of crossing Stanley Park…

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James Carroll

Steven Gerrard loved it.

And we certainly loved it.

It’s a sunny Saturday lunchtime at Goodison Park in September 2001 and the then 21-year-old has just equalised for Liverpool in the Merseyside derby after only 12 minutes, making it 1-1.

It’s a worldie of a goal, too. Watching it back for the purpose of this piece, time has not taken anything away from the technique.

The control, the touch, the shot, the swerve, the goalkeeper rooted. And then… the celebration.

Gerrard raced down the touchline in front of the Bullens towards us in the away supporters’ section. His first ever goal in the derby and it remains one of the most iconic celebrations of his career.

I’ve never been able to truly a enjoy a derby. Not until they’re over and, hopefully, Liverpool have won.

So naturally I’d feared the worst when Kevin Campbell had put Everton in front that particular day. A goal that generated that sinking feeling in your stomach, you know the one I mean, watching their players celebrate and listening to the majority of those inside Goodison roaring in joy.

But on this afternoon, it was one of those good days for those of us of a Red persuasion. It’d be the away section making all the noise in the end.

Michael Owen’s clinical penalty before half-time would put us into the lead before John Arne Riise scored a stunning solo goal that would birth the soundtrack to his Reds career just after the break.

It wasn’t plain sailing from then, though. Far from it. It rarely – if ever – is at Goodison in these games.

Jerzy Dudek and Stephane Henchoz took turns to keep the Blues out and, on this occasion at least, I left for home after the final whistle finally allowed me to enjoy it.

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Steve Hunter

We all have a ‘Where were you for Gary McAllister’s incredible free-kick winner at Goodison Park in 2001?’ memory.

It’s a moment I will personally never forget.

Having started commentating with the Reds in 1999-2000, this was towards the end of my first full season in my dream job, and a truly astonishing campaign.

This was a Merseyside derby that had the lot and then some; pure, edge-of-the-seat drama that only the joy of the football theatre can bring.

Going into this derby, a home defeat by Leeds United three days earlier had seen Gerard Houllier’s side drop out of the top four. Gerrard was sent off, too, making him suspended for Goodison.

The game, which had the rather unusual kick-off time of 6pm due to being selected for live TV coverage, started in a raucous atmosphere.

Emile Heskey and Markus Babbel had twice put the Reds in front before Robbie Fowler missed a penalty that would have made it 3-1, hitting the post.

Igor Biscan was dismissed and the hosts earned a controversial penalty that had Sami Hyypia seething. David Unsworth converted it to level on 83 minutes.

Houllier’s response was to take off Fowler and bring on Gregory Vignal. Many Kopites sighed, thinking this was a defensive change. But it was the full-back who won what has became one of the most-famous Reds free-kicks.

From fully 35 yards out and with the clock ticking into a 94th minute, McAllister spotted Blues goalkeeper Paul Gerrard had left a gap and exploited it, swirling the ball into the bottom left corner.

To say I got some dirty looks from Toffees supporters for jumping up and down in my press seat is an understatement. But what a moment!

Liverpool would, of course, go on to lift the FA Cup and UEFA Cup in the weeks that followed, adding to their League Cup success from earlier in the campaign.

Would any of it have happened without Gary Mac’s Goodison winner?

Who can say? But it was a piece of genius that Houllier agreed gave his side the momentum they needed to end the season in style.

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Glenn Price

I was fortunate to be one of very few people in attendance when Liverpool resumed their eventual Premier League-winning campaign at Goodison in June 2020.

With the COVID-19 pandemic taking football behind closed doors and fans forced to watch at home, I remember thinking just how many millions of people would love to be in my position.

That was on my mind when entering the stadium for a unique but ultimately weird experience.

Temperature checked upon entry, masked up, social distancing and echoing shouts, this was how live football would be for the foreseeable.

But, I was keen to remember, at least it was back!

The game itself was a largely forgettable 0-0 draw but our distraction, our passion, our obsession had returned after an uncertain 102-day absence. Oh, and the prospect of the Reds sealing an historic title was now a hair’s breadth away (it was confirmed four days after this derby).

An unforgettable Goodison memory for me in more ways than one.

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Chris Shaw

They say Merseyside derbies divide families and friendships all over the city.

Well, the edition of October 20, 2007 certainly put one of my close relationships under a stern examination.

It strongly tested my ability to control my emotions, too.

You’ll remember the story of that afternoon. Everton take the lead thanks to a Hyypia own goal, but Gerrard wins a penalty early in the second half that also sees Tony Hibbert dismissed. Dirk Kuyt calmly places the kick into the net.

Rafael Benitez, so often mercurial in his decision-making, takes Gerrard off with the score still 1-1 on 72 minutes. On for the captain comes a raw, long-haired Lucas Leiva, the 20-year-old only a few months into his Liverpool career.

In stoppage time, it’s the Brazilian’s shot that is handled on the goalline by Phil Neville. Off he goes, too. Up steps Kuyt again.

This spot-kick is more nerve-jangling, squeezed past Tim Howard’s hands into the same bottom right corner.

Silence across the majority of Goodison; delirium for the pocket of Kopites.

Long before my having the fortune to report on the Reds professionally, I’m a fan hidden away in the home area of the Bullens, on a ticket kindly provided by my Blues-supporting mate.

No red on show, of course, but an increasingly red face trying to keep my lips sealed as the away section to my left goes ballistic in greeting Kuyt’s winner.

My friend and I don’t speak a word to each other all the way home from the stadium.

I think he has forgiven me by now, though.

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Sam Williams

The ball hits the post and you just know.

You just know Sadio Mane is getting there first, and you just know what that means.

It’s Monday December 19, 2016. Jürgen Klopp’s first experience of the claustrophobic maelstrom that is a Goodison Park derby. It’s dark and cold and festive spirit is in short supply.

The Reds need to win to stay in touch with Premier League leaders Chelsea but a goalless stalemate beckons.

But then the board goes up and the fourth official is signalling there will be a minimum of eight minutes of added time. Surely not…

Daniel Sturridge shimmies inside, scuffs a shot from the edge of the ‘D’ and everything slows down. Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles can’t stretch far enough and the ball strikes the foot of the post.

At this point, Mane is arguably fourth-favourite to reach the rebound, behind Robles, Ashley Williams and Ramiro Funes Mori. But the Senegalese’s anticipation and acceleration is superior and he gets there.

And you just know what that means.

The away end, positioned opposite the press box, is bedlam. James Carroll and I punch each other’s legs under the desk in silent celebration.

Everton 0-1 Liverpool (Mane, 90+4).

“Merry Christmas, Everton...”